Sample 5 Day: Itinerary:

Day: 1.- Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Depart from Quito in the morning, flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca after a short 30 minutes trip. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating down the Napo River for the whole afternoon. At night our first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk or canoe ride will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to a location).

Day: 2.- Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor

We will continue our navigation downstream to arrive at the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There is a possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more.

The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans.

At night, there will be an optional excursion to explore the forest and riverbanks and also optional overnight at our camp for an extra fee of $30,00 per person can be arranged.

Day: 3.- Visiting the Observation Tower – Native House

On the third day of our cruise, we will explore the Observation Tower build around a tree to observe the different ecosystems of the forest and a wide variety of birds. After lunch at the Manatee, you will stop at a Native House of the Kichwas a native guide will bring into the light their way of life and traditions.

Day: 4.- Visiting the Kapok Tree – Limoncocha Biological Reserve

In the morning we will continue to visit one of the tallest trees of the Rainforest, the Kapok, a native guide also will explain to us the use of medicinal plants, if time permits we will have a visit to the CICAME Archeological Museum which preserves pottery from the Omagua Culture, one of the first forest pre-Columbian residents of the Napo River basin. This is also a good place to shop local handicrafts made from rainforest materials. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys and at night looking for the Black Caiman, return to the Manatee at night.

Day: 5.- Returning home

Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.

Sample 4 day Itinerary

Day: 1.- Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Depart from Quito in the morning, flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca after a short 30 minutes trip. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating down the Napo River for the whole afternoon.
At dusk our first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk, visit to a Native House or canoe ride will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to a location).

Day: 2.- Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor

We will continue our navigation downstream to arrive close to the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There is a possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans. At night, there will be an optional excursion to explore the forest and riverbanks.

In the morning we will visit a Native House from the Kichwa people that lives inside of the Yasuni National Park with an interesting walk in a mature forest if the time permits after this a short visit to the CICAME Archeological Museum, which preserves pottery from the Omagua Culture, one of the first forest pre-Columbian residents of the Napo River basin. This is also a good place to shop local handicrafts made from rainforest materials. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys and at night looking for the Black Caiman return to the Manatee at night.

Day: 4.- Returning home

Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.

Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On daily basis of your tour you will be advised of any amendments.

The Exploration Leaders will always be offering information about the region, tours, weather conditions, navigation, native cultures and probabilities to encounter wildlife through lectures, briefings, recaps and videos.